From Thrillers to Historical Fiction, A Master of Storytelling
Award-winning author Raven West discusses her diverse literary journey, from independent publishing to crafting compelling fiction and non-fiction. She shares insights on inspiration, challenges, and the evolving landscape of book marketing.
Raven West is a literary force to be reckoned with. With an impressive repertoire spanning multiple genres—from riveting thrillers and espionage novels to historical fiction and deeply personal non-fiction—her storytelling is as compelling as it is diverse. Her works, including Red Wine for Breakfast, First Class Male, Undercover Reunion, and Vashti’s Daughter, have captivated readers with their rich narratives and unforgettable characters.
A pioneer in independent publishing, West was among the earliest authors to embrace print-on-demand, carving her own path in the ever-evolving literary landscape. Her keen ability to weave elements of fact, fiction, and personal experience into her novels lends an authenticity that resonates deeply with her audience. Whether exploring the high-pressure world of radio broadcasting, unearthing espionage in unexpected places, or reimagining biblical heroines, she consistently delivers stories that challenge conventions and leave a lasting impact.
Beyond fiction, West’s non-fiction work, Rescuing Ruby, sheds light on the harrowing realities of guardianship abuse, reflecting her commitment to justice and advocacy. Her literary contributions extend even further under the pen name FirdBird, where she explores bold themes in her erotica collection Journey to Dimension Nine.
A seasoned guest on radio shows, podcasts, and literary festivals, West has dedicated her career not just to writing but to engaging with her readers, championing independent authorship, and pushing the boundaries of storytelling. In this exclusive interview, she shares insights into her creative process, the inspiration behind her works, and her experiences navigating the ever-changing publishing world.
It is a privilege to feature Raven West in Reader’s House magazine, where we celebrate her remarkable career and the powerful stories she continues to tell.
Raven West’s fearless storytelling, genre mastery, and pioneering spirit in independent publishing make her an inspiring literary force and a reader’s delight.
What inspired you to write Vashti’s Daughter, and how did you approach reinterpreting a well-known biblical story?
The actual inspiration for Vashti’s Daughter originated from a very unique relationship I was involved in with a high school classmate.
It was so intense, I felt as if we had known each other in a previous life. When I ended it, he was quite upset and told me, “You will never find love again, now and for all eternity.”
That one line felt was like a “curse” made centuries ago, and most definitely was the spark that created the theme of Vashti’s Daughter. although the Jewish holiday of Purim and all that followed wasn’t originally the concept or the title of the novel.
As a Jewish child growing up in the Catskills in upstate New York, I defied the popular norm of dressing as Queen Esther at our temple’s Purim celebration even though I faced humiliation and ridicule.
I always felt that Vashti was the true heroine of the story because if he wasn’t for her courage in defying the king, Esther wouldn’t have been in the position she was, and yet she gets to be the heroine. I felt it was about time the true story was finally told and Vashti received the credit she deserved.
Your books span multiple genres, from historical fiction to thrillers. How do you decide which story to tell next?
I’d have to say I don’t decide the story as much as the story decides for me. When I first began my writing career, I had three titles in mind; Red Wine for Breakfast, Bourbon for Brunch, and Daiquiris for Dinner. However, many years ago I attended a writer’s lunch and one of the members was starting up a romance magazine and asked me write a 2,000 word short story.
At the time I was writing a monthly column “The Road to Riches” for the now defunct e-zine Amazing Authors Showcase. I sent what I thought was the short story to the late Pepper Rains – who told me it was a great first chapter for my next novel. I took her advice and that 2,000 word short story grew to a 96,000 word novel; First Class Male.
Two items are in all my novels: 1 – my #1 rule in life: Always keep a bottle of champagne in the refrigerator because you never know when you’ll have something to celebrate and you do NOT want to be with champagne, and 2 – what the “socks test” reveals!
Red Wine for Breakfast explores the high-pressure world of radio broadcasting. Did you draw from personal experiences or real-life events when crafting the novel?
Yes and yes! All my novels are part fact, part fiction and part fantasy.
In the late 70’s, I was a radio D.J. at WELV-AM-FM in my home town of Ellenville, NY and fell in love with broadcasting. I majored in radio communications, working first at KBIA at the University of Missouri/Columbia, then WJPZ at Syracuse University.
When my best friend Mary Ellen Grable met with a fatal accident, I felt the only way I could work through my grief was to write a novel to honor her memory. Red Wine for Breakfast is dedicated to her. She’s Gayle McGee, the best friend of Jenny Reed, the main character.
Undercover Reunion features older protagonists in an espionage setting, which is quite unique. What inspired you to take this approach?
A year before our 30th High School reunion, I was visiting a classmate and we were talking about how we used to play spies from the old TV show The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and how much fun we had back then with some of our other male classmates, including one in particular who was a major “player” back in the day.
It was a lot of fun “playing” with people I knew from our class and creating a powerful spy novel using our actual experiences and some very real romantic encounters!
How has your experience as a guest on radio and podcasts influenced your writing career and book promotion strategies?
I’ve been a guest on many radio, cable TV, podcasts on-line interviews, and YouTube videos but haven’t really seen any increase in book sales. If I had the time, and the money, I would hire all those book marketers who constantly email me with their proposals without ever having read any of my novels!
What challenges have you faced as an independent author, and how have you navigated them?
The challenges haven’t change from when my books were published by a traditional publisher (Lighthouse Press) to my going the self-publishing route, but the publishing industry certainly has. Marketing, promotion and distribution and the keys to success – that’s never changed, but with so many avenues it does get more challenging to reach the reading audience.
COVID killed many festivals and book fairs and we never really recovered, so in-person book signing events are few, if they exist at all. While it is a bit discouraging, the reviews and comments that my novels receive make it all worth it.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors looking to write and self-publish their own novels?
My best advice is to read Jane Friedman;s The Key Book Publishing Paths: 2025–2026. (She’s also featured in my novel “Vashti’s’ Daughter) Then decide what is the best path for you.
Wishing you all the very best of success and most of all ENOY the journey!
